foursquare

Like most services, Foursquare has long had a developer API that allows users to plug Foursquare data into other apps. Now that idea is evolving with Foursquare's new Connected App Platform. With Connected Apps, developers can build their app or service into Foursquare - essentially, apps will run within Foursquare to enable new kinds of user experiences.

Foursquare's mobile app hit the big five-point-oh today, with a brand new overhaul that's so comprehensive, the What's New section on the Play Store gave up and said "Go check it out for yourself!" The app has gotten a whole new ICS-styled look, which just looks fantastic. In addition, the app has revamped the "Explore" tab that allows you to see what's around you, encouraging more discovery, instead of mindlessly checking in whenever you happen to go to Starbucks.

Foursquare is clearly looking to engage users more with the update, as the maps section shows. You can now see your friends' locations overlaid on a map that also highlights points of interest in your area. You can search by category like before, or simply see what's interesting around you. You can also find deals from Foursquare-friendly vendors.